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Don Davis

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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.

ST. PAUL -- It's fourth and long for a new Vikings stadium, and on Monday legislative quarterbacks dropped back for a last-minute hail Mary pass. The defense is strong: The governor does not like new taxes included in a proposal released Monday, the Vikings have serious concerns and time is running out. But like any Vikings fan watching a tight game knows, anything is possible. A bill spelling out how to pay for a $791 million Vikings stadium was announced Monday by four lawmakers from outside the Twin Cities. The announcement came two weeks before it must end.

ST. PAUL - A bill spelling out how to pay for a $791 million Minnesota Vikings stadium was announced by lawmakers today, but the Vikings and the governor do not support it. The bill would allow one of two funding options. One would tax Twin Cities hotels, sports memorabilia purchased statewide and rental cars, with a sport-themed lottery game adding to the funds.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Conservative political activists know Tom Emmer, but as the Republican candidate for governor he now plans to introduce himself to a wider audience. "This is where it all begins," Emmer shouted to nearly 2,000 Minnesota Republican convention delegates late Friday afternoon, moments after he gained the party's endorsement. Emmer's victory over fellow state Rep. Marty Seifert came quickly, after the convention's second ballot showed Emmer with 56 percent support to Seifert's 44 percent.

MINNEAPOLIS - Pat Anderson won Republican Party backing early today to return to her old job as Minnesota state auditor. "Right now, every penny counts," Anderson told party convention delegates at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Anderson beat two other opponents after three ballots, when the convention unanimously voted to support her.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Pat Anderson expected to win Republican Party backing Thursday to return to her job as Minnesota state auditor. As this edition went to press, voting was not completed in her race. Anderson, of Dellwood, was ousted from the office by Democrat Rebecca Otto four years ago. She was joined in the race by state auditor's employee Jeff Wiita of Minnetonka, Mayor Randy Gilbert of Long Lake and ex-St.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Sarah Palin added excitement to the Minnesota Republican convention Thursday night by endorsing Tom Emmer for governor. "A patriotic fiscally conservative 'hockey dad' who got his start in politics by serving on his local city councils is running for governor of the great state of Minnesota," Palin wrote on her Facebook page Thursday afternoon. "His name is Tom Emmer, and I'm proud to support him."Emmer was thrilled. "The gold standard of grassroots politics" is how Emmer described Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate. In general, GOP delega

MINNEAPOLIS -- It took Republicans until 3 a.m. to pick their governor candidate the last time two major candidates fought for endorsement. No one expects that to happen Friday at the Minneapolis Convention Center, when the party will pick its 2010 governor candidate. The 13-ballot marathon needed to choose between Tim Pawlenty and Brian Sullivan may be unlikely, but neither is a one-ballot endorsement some Republican activists predict, the party chairman said. "I would be shocked," Chairman Tony Sutton said when asked about the single-ballot prediction. State Reps.

ST. PAUL - Republican governor candidate Tom Emmer picked a political insider, little known to the public, as his running mate three days before the state party is to endorse a candidate. Annette Meeks runs a conservative think tank known as Freedom Foundation of Minnesota. For nine years she was at the Center of the American Experiment. Emmer, a state representative from Delano, is locked in what most observers describe as a tight battle with fellow state Rep. Marty Seifert of Marshall for the party endorsement.